Guidelines, issued by the R&A, for amateur golfers who wish to accept the benefit or a scholarship or bursary while attending an educational establishement (school, college or university) are now available from the JGF offices, at Muthaiga Golf Club.

Under Rule6-5, an amateur golfer of golf skill and reputation must not accept the benefits of a grant, scholarship or bursary, except one whose terms and conditions have been approved by the governing body, i.e the R&A.

The Amateur Status committee must approve all such awards where golf skill is a factor in the section process , awarded in Great Britain and Ireland.

The procedural criteria also covers the procedure for payment of the award, which states that it must be made to the educational establishment.

Further, the permitted purposes of the golf scholarship or bursary may be used for tuition fees, books, room and board, costs of coaching (including coaching fees and traveland living expenses), golf equipment and travel, living costs and caddie fees at individual or team University, College or School events.

However, for golf scholarships in the USA, the Amateur Status committee permits amateurs to accept these provided they comply with the US Golf Association’s rules of amateur status.

Amateur golfers therefore, who are currently studying in the UK and Ireland and who receive a golf scholarship in the US are permitted to play in Amateur or Open events or elsewhere during vactions.

Other restrictions apply for such students, who cannot accept free transport to or from the UK to play in such event, nor can they enter into any contract to become a professional golfer at the end of their college course. Additional information is available on the R&A website: www.RandA.org